August 05, 2024
Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? (Hebrews 12:7)
Everyone suffers. Sometimes, we bring it upon ourselves, but other times, it comes to us from unavoidable sources. Suffering is anything that is hard, painful, enduring, and challenging to handle.
GOD’S VIEW
From heaven’s perspective, the Lord views all of this as that which, when properly responded to, can bring good. It can develop us and train us. It can help others, providing extraordinary examples. The gist of Hebrews 12 is to embrace suffering and find God in the midst of it. That He is sufficient. That He can work “all things together for good.”
And then He gives a million examples: Job, Paul, Corrie Ten Boom, Joni Earickson, and on and on throughout history … people who endured and found God’s grace “greater still.”
Are you suffering? You can cry out for deliverance. Jesus did (in Gethsemane), Paul did (with the thorn in the flesh), but if God chooses to allow it to remain for a season, know that He has plans to use it in such glorious ways that will cause you to rejoice in heaven. He knows what He’s about.
March 11, 2025
God knows what He is about. Always include in your request the greatest prayer—the prayer of surrender. “Lord, Your will be done.” This is the prayer, when humbly prayed, that will always be answered and yield the most valuable result from the God who loves us best ... even if the answer is hard.
March 05, 2025
Every created man or woman must make their choice. What will you do with God? Will you embrace or reject Him? Draw near or run away? Trust and serve Him or doubt God and serve yourself? This foundational choice determines everything.
March 04, 2025
As you evaluate your faith, is it “God and?” God and others. God and the world’s ideas. God and my best thoughts thrown in. God and some money. God and a clear path. Or simply: God. Are you vainly clinging to the idea that you need more than Him?
